WASHINGTON — Police are investigating after a young girl was shot in Southwest D.C. Monday evening.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, officers learned of the shooting in an apartment complex along Galveston St. SW around 6:30 p.m.
When officers arrived, they found a 5-year-old girl suffering from a gunshot wound to her upper body. Police rendered aid before first responders arrived to take her to a local hospital.
Police have described her injuries as being serious and say she is currently in critical condition. During a press conference, Chief Pamela Smith said the 5-year-old and a 3-year-old were in the house playing with an unsecured gun.
The 3-year-old accidentally shot his big sister. A preliminary investigation found that the mother left her children in the care of a long-time family friend, while she went to run errands. The man responsible for watching the two children was arrested and charged with Cruelty To Children.
A third sibling was also arrested for assaulting a special officer who works at the apartment complex where the shooting occurred. It is unclear if she is being charged with anything at this time.
Police say at this time, they do not know who the gun belongs to or how it got into the home.